Fall Harvest Salad {with Roasted Butternut Squash & Quinoa}

When I’m asked to bring a side dish, my go-to recipe is this autumn salad. I love the crisp apples, brightly colored roasted butternut squash and combination of pumpkin seeds and pecans. And feta cheese is my kryptonite – give me more!

Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and high in protein, making this harvest chicken salad hearty enough for a full meal.

Primary Ingredients

As always, the full ingredient list, instructions and details are in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

• Chicken | I used boneless, skinless breasts, but you can substitute thighs if you prefer dark meat.
• EVOO | Extra Virgin Olive Oil is best in this dish, you will use it in the vinaigrette as well as to coat the butternut squash.
• Butternut Squash | The orange flesh is so beautiful in this dish. You can also use acorn squash as an alternative.
• Quinoa | Any variety will work for this fall harvest salad. Cook it in vegetable stock or chicken broth for extra flavor!
• Greens | You can use any combination of arugula, a baby spring mix, or chopped kale. I love spring mix and arugula.
• Dried Cranberries | Dried fruit brings a punch of flavor to any dish. You can use other dried fruit like cherries or golden raisins too!
• Pecans | Roasted nuts are a favorite of mine. I also love walnuts and sliced almonds into an autumn salad.
• Cheese | Crumbly goat or feta cheese adds a creamy, rich flavor when sprinkled on top.
• Apples | I adore Honeycrisp for their natural sweetness. Fuji and Pink Lady are just as delicious.
• Pumpkin Seeds | Toasting these makes them irresistible.
• Dressing

Instructions

Step 1 | Make the Apple Cider Vinaigrette

TFC TIP | If marinating your chicken in the apple cider vinaigrette then be sure to make double the dressing.

Step 2 | Marinate Chicken

Step 3 | Roast Butternut Squash

Step 3 | Cook Quinoa

This can be done ahead of time.

HINT | I marinate my chicken, make the salad dressing, roast the butternut squash and make the quinoa the day ahead of time for a quick and easy assembly.

Step 4 | Assemble Fall Harvest Salad

Substitutions

The Fresh Cooky is all about making it yours! So let’s get creative!

• Store Bought Dressing | Some good ones might be Panera’s Lemon Vinaigrette or Fuji Apple. A simple balsamic vinaigrette or poppy seed dressing would also be delicious. Browse through the dressings in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.
• Meat | Marinate flank steak, chicken thighs or even scallops or shrimp in the vinaigrette!
• Grain | This autumn salad would be delicious with wheat berries or farro as well! Just cook according to package directions — still cooking in broth for a more flavorful salad.
• Squash | Replace the squash with roasted acorn squash or even roasted sweet potatoes!

Variations

• Pears are the perfect substitute for apples in this fall harvest salad. You could also use asian pears, which are a cross between an apple and pear. They have a wonderfully crisp texture and a tangy, sweet flavor.
• If using kale in this autumn salad, be sure to chop fine, then place in bowl, drizzling with about 1/2 a tablespoon of olive oil. Massage the kale with oil using your hands, kind of scrunching it, this will soften the kale and lighten the color
• I also love adding pomegranate arils. And if you’re a fan of dried cherries, they give a burst of sweetness that complements the other flavors well.
• Replace the feta cheese for creamy goat cheese or even blue cheese!
• Sunflower seeds or other nuts are an easy way to add extra crunch to this autumn salad.

Fresh Tips

• Roast the butternut squash, cook the quinoa, and marinate your chicken the day before putting the harvest chicken salad together.
• Grilling the chicken will add another layer of flavor. Or, you can broil it with similar results.
• Rinsing quinoa helps remove the saponin, which has an unpleasant, bitter flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How and why should you massage kale? Massaging breaks up the fibers, making them easier to chew.

How do you make quinoa fluffy? The trick is to use double the amount of water or broth as the quinoa. It cooks a lot like rice, but absorbs quite a bit more liquid.

Once the water is absorbed, leave it covered to steam for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

What’s the best way to cook butternut squash?For recipes like this harvest chicken salad, I prefer to cube and roast it. It ensures that it’s cooked evenly and has a great flavor.

Can I make this Fall Harvest Salad Vegan? Yes! In the dressing make sure the Dijon mustard is vegan. Omit the meat or replace with your favorite plant-based substitute, omit the cheese or sub with your favorite plant-based cheese.

Top Tip

This harvest chicken salad might seem like a lot of work, but I assure you it is actually very easy, it just takes a bit of planning. You will amaze your friends and family with this brightly colored, beautiful, hearty, filling and protein-packed quinoa butternut squash salad!

See post for apple cider vinaigrette recipe.